Eating Disorders vs. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Key Differences
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Restrictive eating
Eating Disorders:
Core
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):
Not Characteristic
Explanation: In eating disorders, limiting food intake is a central and persistent concern, while it is not a typical feature of OCD on its own.
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Purging behaviours
Eating Disorders:
Core
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):
Not Characteristic
Explanation: Purging is a key eating-disorder behaviour tied to food, weight, or body distress, rather than a characteristic OCD symptom.
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Fear of gaining weight
Eating Disorders:
Core
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):
Not Characteristic
Explanation: A persistent fear of weight gain strongly points toward eating-disorder concerns, whereas OCD fears are usually broader and not specifically weight-focused.
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Distress About Your Body Shape or Weigh
Eating Disorders:
Core
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):
Not Characteristic
Explanation: Ongoing distress about body shape or weight is central in eating disorders and is not a defining feature of OCD.
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Skin picking
Eating Disorders:
Associated
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):
Core
Explanation: Skin picking may occur alongside eating-disorder distress, but in OCD it is more likely to be part of a central repetitive or compulsive pattern.
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Key Similarities
| Symptom | How it is similar |
|---|---|
| Perfectionism | Both eating disorders and OCD can involve intense standards, fear of mistakes, and difficulty feeling that things are acceptable or complete. |
| Compulsive or repetitive behaviours | Both can involve repeated behaviours that feel difficult to resist and are often used to reduce distress or regain a sense of control. |
| Strong need to be in control | Both can involve a persistent need for control, which may show up through routines, rules, checking, or rigid patterns of behaviour. |
| Intrusive unwanted thoughts | Both can involve unwanted thoughts that feel distressing and hard to dismiss, even when the person does not want to have them. |
| Feeling constantly anxious or on edge | Both can involve ongoing anxiety and tension, which can make daily life feel mentally and emotionally exhausting. |
Most often taken Self-Assessments
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Self-Assessment: Anxiety
Take the TestTake this quick self-assessment based on the GAD-7 to understand your current anxiety levels and how they may be impacting your life.
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Self-Assessment: Porn Addiction
Take the TestReflect on your relationship with porn and whether it's affecting your mental, emotional, or relational well-being.
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Self-Assessment: Overthinking
Take the TestReflect on persistent patterns of overanalyzing, second-guessing, or mental looping that may be affecting your clarity and peace of mind.
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Self-Assessment: Depression
Take the TestThe clinically proven PHQ-7 self-assessment to help you gauge if you might be experiencing signs of depression.
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Self-Assessment: Narcissistic Abuse
Take the TestCheck if you might be experiencing or recovering from narcissistic abuse in a relationship.
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Self-Assessment: Impact of ADHD
Take the TestThis self-assessment helps identify how adult ADHD may be affecting your daily life and functioning.
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Self-Assessment: Emotional Regulation
Take the TestDiscover how well you manage your emotions and cope with challenging situations.
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Self-Assessment: Couple Relationships
Take the TestA quick check-in to see how healthy and connected your romantic relationship feels right now.
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Self-Assessment: PTSD
Take the TestUse the PCL-5 scale to identify signs of lingering emotional and physiological distress from traumatic experiences.
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Self-Assessment - Borderline Personality Disorder
Take the TestUnderstand if you might be showing signs of Borderline Personality Disorder using the Mclean Screening Instrument.
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Self-Assessment: Sleep
Take the TestAssess if your sleep issues stem from deeper emotional patterns, rather than just irregular habits or lifestyle factors. Based on the Insomnia Severity Index.
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Self-Assessment: Dating Fatigue
Take the TestExplore whether the emotional exhaustion, frustration, or numbness you're feeling around dating is a sign of burnout.
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Self-Assessment: Social Anxiety
Take the TestTake this test based on the LSAS scale to find out if social situations are triggering anxiety or holding you back.
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Self-Assessment: Retroactive Jealousy
Take the TestExplore if thoughts about your partner’s past are affecting your current relationship.